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Building foundations: Kristian Fitzgerald is thrown in at the deep end

09 January 2018

Kristian Fitzgerald joined our team of Civil Engineers in 2015. Since then, he’s worked closely with our structural engineers on our airport projects for both Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Which Webb Yates project that you've worked on are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of the Heathrow Airport Fire Main Upgrade project. I enjoyed this project because I was able to work on one of the biggest and busiest airports in the world on a critical service crucial to the operation of Heathrow Airport. I received the project from Andy and Rob in November 2015 a month after I joined and, not knowing anything about fire main or Heathrow airport, I have developed invaluable knowledge of airports and their services.

Why did you choose engineering?

I choose engineering because I liked maths-related topics in school and engineering is a broad discipline desired by many professions.

What would you be doing if you weren't an engineer?

If I didn't do engineering I would like to think I would have followed my passion of scuba diving.

Which product or building has most inspired you and why?

While I was in university I watched a documentary on BBC called Supersized Earth, I don't think it was any of the projects mentioned that inspired me just the capabilities of what we can build.

What is the most difficult engineering challenge you've overcome at Webb Yates?

The biggest engineering challenge I have experienced at Webb Yates Engineers is not so much technical but personal: having confidence in making decisions without considerable input from senior colleagues.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My housemates and I (we all have different construction backgrounds) would like to start our own construction practice back in Dublin, using the experience we have gained in London and applying it there.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self not to buy an Xbox.

What is your favourite book/album/film/place?

Favourite book is BS EN 752:2008, album is 8 Mile (timeless classic), film is Any Given Sunday and my favourite place in the world is Gili Trawangan, Indonesia.